Some random Orioles thoughts (40-man roster, Kubel, Pearce)

When the Orioles outrighted Steve Pearce to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, there was obvious murmuring that the club must be ready to make another 40-man roster move.

The timing, admittedly, is curious.

But I've been told there are no roster moves pending as of late Saturday afternoon.

I was also told by a joking member of the organization not to worry: Dan Duquette will use that 40-man spot. Duquette's not one to waste a roster opening. He will find someone for it. It's just that that someone is not earmarked for it at this moment.

So you're going to have stay tuned.

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With the Arizona Diamondbacks signing of outfielder Cody Ross to a three-year, $26 million deal (to paraphrase Mel Brooks, it's good to be a free agent), the Diamondbacks' outfield suddenly got real crowded.

Justin Upton is the prize there, but the speculation is that left fielder Jason Kubel is the player that will most likely get traded out of the desert.

Cue the Kubel to the Orioles speculation in 3 2.

Not so fast. Kubel is a slugging left-handed hitter who homered 30 times in 2012. The Orioles are seeking a power bat and had preliminary discussions with the Diamondbacks during the winter meetings about Kubel.

But those talks never progressed. And then the Orioles re-signed Nate McLouth for left field.

Kubel is a left fielder by trade, though he's been a designated hitter, too. So he could fit here.

I just don't see the Orioles pursuing him now. Not for what it would take to land him and not with $7.5 million owed to him in 2013 (and a mutual option for 2014) for him to, basically, be the everyday DH.

There just doesn't seem to be that kind of interest in Kubel from the Orioles' side.

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One other thing on Pearce: The club hasn't ruled him out as a potential reserve outfielder in 2013. They just assumed he'd pass through waivers -- they were right -- and wouldn't need a 40-man roster spot heading into spring.